Tia Fuller
April 16, 2010 / No Comments
Decisive Steps
(Mack Avenue Records)
Saxophonist Tia Fuller proves that her sophomore recording was no fluke. On Decisive Steps she goes deeper into the tradition than on her previous efforts, perhaps swinging a bit harder and more intently. Her skills as a composer have not waned either, as she wrote eight of the albums 10 tunes, along with brilliant covers of “I Can’t Get Started” and “My Shining Hour”. Fuller is backed once again by a line of all-female rhythm section and they are solid unit, with Miriam Sullivan on acoustic bass, Kim Thompson on drums, and Shamie Royston on piano and Fender Rhodes. She’s also is joined by vibraphonist Warren Wolf, as well as labelmates bassist Christian McBride and trumpeter Sean Jones for several pieces. With Fuller having spent some time touring with R&B star Beyonce, it might be tempting for some critics take her lightly, but this project further establishes the fact that Tia Fuller is a jazz musician of significant calibur.
Click here to listen to a clip of “Decisive Steps”.
Tracks: Decisive Steps, Windsoar, Ebb & Flow, I Can’t Get Started, Kissed By The Sun, Steppin’, Shades of McBride, Clear Mind, Night Glow, My Shining Hour.
